Floating plug for well casings



Sept. 16. 1924. 1,508,586

R. C. BAKER FLOATING PLUG FOR WELL CASINGS Filed July 5, 1922 T l v I T1 11. E g i l i I I l jgiL Inventor.

- Qsusw c. BAA 2 J11 0792 eys.

Patented Sept. 16, 1924.

STATES PATENT REUBEN C. BAKER, OF COALINGA, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNO'R TO BAKER CASING SHOE COMPANY, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA.

FLOATING PLUG FOR WELL CASINGS.

Application filed July 5,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known thatI, REUBEN C. BAKER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Coalinga, county of Fresno, and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Floating Plugs for IVell Casings, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to well constructions and particularly pertains to a plug for use in conjunction with the casing.

lVhen deep wells are being driven, it is common practice to lower a casing into them, and it has been found desirable to relieve a part of the burden of the casing by plugging its lower end so that it will be somewhat buoyant in the liquid of the well, and it is the principal object of the present invention to provide suitable means for plugging the 2 lower end of the well casing, permitting it to be lowered and to then remove the plug from the casing.

The present invention contemplates the use of a yieldable ring adaptedto be frictionally held within the lower end of a Well casing and to receive a. plug by which the end of the casing may be closed.

The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in

which:- I

Fig. 1 is-a view in side elevation showing the complete plug with parts broken away, and further indicating the position of the structure with relation to a well casing.

Fig. 2 is a view in perspective showing an expansive sleeve forming part of the invention.

Fig. 3 is a view in perspective showing the plug member for closing the end of the casing.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 10 indicates a well casing, the lower end of which is intended to be temporarily closed. This is done in the present case by providing an expansive sleeve 11 which is expanded into the central bore of the casing. This sleeve is formed with a longitudinal split 12 permitting expansion. Formed around the lower edges of the sleeve are 5 bayonet slots 13 to receive lugs 14 of a spherical closing plug 15. This plug is shown in 3 as formed with a number of lugs agreeing with the bayonet slots 13 of the sleeve and is further provided with an end screw plug 16 as shown in Fig. 1.

1922. Serial No. 572,887.

The complete structure 15 is preferably formed with cast metal so that it will be somewhat brittle and may be broken by a tool lowered down through the casing.

In operation of the present invention the casing is fitted with the sleeve 11 and when the sleeve is expanded into position it may from the members by which it is supported. After the casing has been lowered to the desired position a tool may be dropped down through the casing to break up the plug 15 and force it to the sides of the well bore.

IVhile I have shown the preferred form of my invention, as now known to me, it will be understood that various changes might be made in the combination, construction and arrangement of parts by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

4 Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination with a casing shoe an expansive sleeve extending into the lower end of the shoe and being frictionally held, and'a plug carried by said sleeve to close the lower end of the shoe. v

2. In combination with a well casing an expansive sleeve adapted to be inserted into the lower end of the casing and to frictionally hold itself in position by its expansive action, and a plug member detachably secured to said sleeve and closing the lower end of the casing. i

3, In combination with a well casing a split sleeve adapted to be inserted in the lower end thereof and to hold itself in position by its expansive action, bayonet slots in the downwardly projecting portion of the sleeve, and a hemispherical shell fitting over the projecting end of the sleeve and carrying lugs engaging the bayonet slots and securing it in position.

4. In combination with a well casing, a. tubular sleeve member adapted to be inserted into the lower end of the casing and adapted to frictionally engage the interior surface thereof to maintain itself in position, and a plug member adapted to be connected to said sleeve to close the lower end of the casing, said plug being formed of fragile material. 1

:5. In combination with a well casing shoe having a beveled lower edge, a tubular sleeve member adapted to be inserted in the lower end of said casing shoe and frictionally en'- and d'etachably connect therewith. the upper 15 edge of said plug being beveled to correspond with the beveled lower edge of the casing shoe to firmly abut thereagainst.

, REUBEN C. BAKER. 

